Karma-śukla-kṛṣṇaṃ yoginaḥ-trividham-itareṣām
A yogin’s actions are neither black or white; karma is of three kinds
In the previous aphorism Patanjali explains that a yogi/guru in a state of grace can influence other people in an absolutely pure and flawless way. Patanjali emphasises this again here by adding ‘neither black or white’ as the yogin has no personal agenda.
For those whose powers are acquired at birth or by taking special plant or by mantra, or by the practice of asceticism, their motivation and results are of three kinds:
“White action” - re-affirming patterns plant seeds of positive change. However, this can start with good intentions but contains with it some attachment or ignorance.
“Dark action” - helpful tendencies generate emotional impressions that will perpetuate a cycle of further painful or irritating actions. This often takes the form of deliberately seeking to bend another to our own will.
“Grey action” - most of us show a combination of virtuous and not so virtuous intentions, thoughts, actions, and interactions, which lacks clarity.
So, there are four kinds of people who can strongly influence others. In Patanjali’s view, only those who have attained samadhi via the culmination of the eight-limbed path of yoga, can act in a truly meditative state.
Damian Cadman-Jones is an authorised teacher of Prana Vashya Yoga™
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